Wrexham crashed to a disappointing cross-border derby defeat on Saturday as they went down to a dismal 3-2 loss at Chester.

Here Post sport writer looks at five things we learned from that loss.

Dominic Vose is cool under pressure

It was as calmly taken penalty as you will see, under severe circumstances. But Dominic Vose showed courage under fire as he slotted home from the spot in front of the Harry McNally Terrace.

Trailing 1-0 to a wonderful free kick from John Rooney, and on the back of a second sluggish start to a match in the space of a week, Wrexham were handed a lifeline as Blaine Hudson was crudely bundled over in the box by Ben Heneghan, even if there were some dissenting voices on the validity of the penalty, just moments later.

The natives were restless, and a number of objects needed to be removed from the pitch as they rained down from the terrace.

But Vose stood firm, coolly waiting and nonchalantly stepped up to leave Jon Worsnop looking foolish with an impudent finish into the bottom corner.

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Loan players look pretty decent

There were a few raised eyebrows in the press corps as the team line ups were announced as manager Gary Mills handed debuts to both loan signings Jon Nolan and Joe Quigley.

But there need not have been as the duo both put in very good shifts, albeit in a losing cause but also for a side that was second best throughout.

Both started slowly, it needs to be noted the whole of the team did as Chester sat in deep, flooded the midfield and looked to play counter attacking football.

Nolan was composed on the ball, was busy throughout and constantly dropped deep in search of possession. Yes he did make two unforced errors to gift possession to Chester deep in the Dragons territory, but considering it was his first game for a new side, two poor passes can be excused.

Quigley looked a handful as the game wore on, set up a couple of very good attacks for the Dragons with his link up play, and also created an excellent chance for himself with a superb turn on the run, just such a shame the finish was dragged across the face of goal.

Wrexham were way too open at times

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Mills described it as ‘unacceptable’, the manner of Wrexham’s defending in the lead up to Tom Shaw’s goal. Sean Newton lost out in possession on the halfway line and then two passes later the ball was in the back of the Dragons net.

It was a trend that was apparent a few times on Saturday, Wrexham guilty of losing the ball and being hit quickly by a side who were looking to play on the break with pace.

It is a compliment that Wrexham are being treated like the home side in all their games, teams looking to soak up the pressure and counter at speed. But at the same time Mills has warned his players they cannot allow themselves to be as open as they were at times during the Deva Stadium defeat.

Dragons didn’t have the stomach for the fight

Its not a phrase I like to use, but in this instance it certainly rings true, Chester simply wanted it more than Wrexham.

Wrexham play a lovely brand of football, they move the ball at pace and with purpose, creating space by drawing sides out from the back and exploiting that with quick passing to carve out chances.

Chester simply did not allow them to settle on the ball, they refused to allow Wrexham time and space to pull the strings – Ross Hannah up front running like a whirlwind, while the midfield were disciplined in defence.

Chester harassed and harried as if their lives depended on it, yet there was not the same level or sense of urgency on the other side from the Dragons, the side appearing to not have the stomach for the fight.

A reaction is definitely needed

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Two games, six goals conceded and no points, its hardly a disaster in the grand scheme of things, but the level of importance now being placed on the next match – this Tuesday night – has gone through the roof.

And the fact that is a second cross-border derby in the space of four days as Tranmere Rovers visit the Racecourse for a new expected sell-out is simply adding to the pressure.

Wrexham have been in and around the play-offs for the majority of the season, and have looked good value for it, but now the pressure is coming on, it is vital the Dragons put the Deva derby defeat behind them quickly and move on with a positive result against Rovers.

Perhaps the fact it is a local derby is perfect for the Dragons, just the type of match they need after Saturday’s defeat, but only if they can find the fight that was so sadly lacking at the Deva.